Santa Clara Golf Marbella: the course and homes for sale nearby

Santa Clara lies on a gentle slope east of Marbella, looking out over the sea and the mountains and, on clear days, as far as Gibraltar and the Moroccan coast. There are relatively few trees, so the course feels open and the afternoon breeze can come into play.

Fairways are generally wide and the rough is light. The test lies in large, undulating greens well protected by bunkers, water on several holes – some drives have to carry it – and a set of long par 3s.

The club describes the course as mostly flat with a few slopes, and it can be walked; a typical round takes around four and a half hours. Some reviewers find the climbs steeper than that suggests, and with little shade a buggy is worth having in summer. Wide fairways make it comfortable for mid- and high-handicap players and groups, while greens and water keep better players honest.

Players regularly praise the views, the welcome – a glass of cava is often included in the green fee – and the friendly staff. Opinions on the greens and general condition vary more: many find the greens quick and in good shape, others report patchy spells, and value for money divides opinion. Rounds can drag when the tee sheet is full.

For practice there is a natural-grass range of about 250 metres with twelve bays, a second area with covered mat bays, a short-game area with two practice bunkers and several putting greens, open to members and visitors. Independent authorised instructors give lessons, and there is a junior programme. The Kayena restaurant serves Mediterranean food. The club's high seasons are mid-February to late May and September to November; in summer, tee off early.

The course is about five kilometres east of Marbella's centre, reached by the access road beside the Hospital Costa del Sol, opposite Los Monteros; Higuerón Marbella Golf Resort is a close neighbour. The club's own times are about seven minutes to the town centre, five to the beach and 30 to Málaga airport.

We show homes close to golf here in Santa Clara, Altos de los Monteros and Los Monteros. Most are apartments, with a smaller choice of detached villas and a handful of townhouses. Since we act only for the buyer, we check before any viewing how near the course a home really is and what its terrace actually faces.